Lamination device and method

ABSTRACT

A lamination device includes a jig configured to accommodate a window having a curved surface; a transfer member configured to allow a film member attached to the window to be spaced from the window; a roller unit configured to press a surface of the transfer member to which the film member is not attached and attaching the film member to the window; a driving unit connected to the roller unit and configured to move the roller unit along the curved surface of the window by rotating with respect to a single rotational center; and a pressing unit connected to the driving unit and the roller unit and configured to press the roller unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/505,433, filed Oct. 2, 2014, which claims priority to and the benefitof Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0031166, filed on Mar. 17,2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosureof both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a laminationdevice and method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile-based electronic devices are widely used. Among mobile electronicdevices, tablet personal computers (PCs) have become popular in recentyears, in addition to small electronic devices such as mobile phones.

Such mobile electronic devices include display devices for providingvisual information, such as images or videos, to users to supportvarious functions thereof. Recently, since components for drivingdisplay devices have become smaller, display devices are of increasingimportance in electronic devices. Display devices are developed to havea structure in which a display device in a flat state is bendable toform an angle.

The above display device may have various structures. The display devicemay include a window that protects an interior thereof from an externalshock and various film members attached to the window. In this regard,there are many cases in which the display device has various shapes asdescribed above, and thus film members are precisely attached to thewindow. In particular, various types of devices exist, and extensiveresearch has been conducted regarding precisely attaching film membersto the window.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present invention include a laminationdevice and method.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description of thepresented embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, alamination device includes: a jig configured to accommodate a windowhaving a curved surface; a transfer member configured to allow a filmmember attached to the window to be spaced from the window; a rollerunit configured to press a surface of the transfer member to which thefilm member is not attached and attaching the film member to the window;a driving unit connected to the roller unit and configured to move theroller unit along the curved surface of the window by rotating withrespect to a single rotational center; and a pressing unit connected tothe driving unit and the roller unit and configured to press the rollerunit.

The lamination device may further include: a first cushion unit mountedin a window accommodating portion of the jig.

The lamination device may further include: a tension maintaining rollerfor maintaining a uniform tension of the transfer member.

The roller unit may include: a core unit; and a second cushion unitsurrounding the core unit.

The driving unit may include: a motor unit located above the window orbelow the jig, the motor unit being the rotational center of the rollerunit, and being rotatably drivable; and a first connection frameaccommodating the pressing unit and connecting the motor unit and theroller unit the first connection frame configured to rotate when drivingthe motor unit.

When the motor unit is located below the jig, the jig may being in thefirst connection frame.

The driving unit may include: a motor unit located above the window orbelow the jig, being the single rotational center, and being rotatablydriable; a first connection frame accommodating the jig and the motorunit and the pressing unit; and a second connection frame accommodatingthe pressing unit connecting the first connection frame and the rollerunit.

The pressing unit may be configured to press the roller unit at auniform pressure on the transfer member.

The film member may be attached to a curved surface of the window.

The film member may include at least one of a touch screen, a displaypanel, a black matrix film, and a release paper.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, alamination method includes: accommodating a window having a curvedsurface; placing a film member attached to a transfer member on thewindow; rotating and moving a roller unit with respect to a fixedrotational center, pressing the transfer member, to attach the filmmember to the window; and separating the window to which the film memberis attached from the jig.

A first cushion unit may be mounted in the jig.

The film member may be positioned on the window by transferring thetransfer member.

The transfer member may contact at least a part of a tension maintainingroller that maintains a uniform tension of the transfer member.

The lamination may further include: aligning the window and the filmmember after placing the film member

The roller unit may include: a core unit; and a second cushion unitsurrounding the core unit.

The roller unit may be connected to the driving unit having a fixedrotational center and rotates, and wherein the driving unit includes: amotor unit located above the window or below the jig, the motor unitbeing the rotational center of the roller unit, and being rotatablydrivable; and a first connection frame accommodating the pressing unitand connecting the motor unit and the roller unit the first connectionframe configured to rotate when driving the motor unit.

The roller unit may be connected to the driving unit having a fixedrotational center and rotates, and wherein the driving unit includes: amotor unit located above the window or below the jig, being the singlerotational center, and being rotatably drivable; and a first connectionframe accommodating the jig and connecting the motor unit and a pressingunit; and a second connection frame accommodating the pressing unit andconnecting the first connection frame and the roller unit.

The film member may be attached to a curved surface of the window.

The film member may include at least one of a touch screen, a displaypanel, a black matrix film, and a release paper.

These general and specific embodiments may be implemented by using asystem, a method, a computer program, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a lamination device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display device manufactured withthe lamination device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a lamination device according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a lamination device according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display device manufactured withthe lamination device of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a lamination device according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the presentembodiments may have different forms and should not be construed asbeing limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, theembodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, toexplain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” whenpreceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and donot modify the individual elements of the list.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various components, these componentsshould not be limited by these terms. These components are only used todistinguish one component from another.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising” used herein specify the presence of stated features orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features or components.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isreferred to as being “formed on” another layer, region, or component, itcan be directly or indirectly formed on the other layer, region, orcomponent. That is, for example, intervening layers, regions, orcomponents may be present.

Sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenienceof explanation. In other words, since sizes and thicknesses ofcomponents in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenienceof explanation, the following embodiments are not limited thereto.

In the following examples, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are notlimited to three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, and may beinterpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, andthe z-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may representdifferent directions that are not perpendicular to one another.

When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specificprocess order may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a lamination device 10 according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view ofa display device 100 manufactured with the lamination device 10 ofFIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel 130 of FIG.2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the lamination device 10 may be usedwhen the display device 100 is manufactured. In this regard, the displayapparatus 100 may include a window 110 and a film member.

The window 110 may be formed to include a curved surface having aplurality of curvature radii. For example, the window 110 may be formedto have a first curved surface having a first curvature radius R1 in alengthwise direction or in a width direction, a second curved surfacehaving a second curvature radius R2, and a third curvature radius R3having a third curvature radius R3. In this regard, the window 110 mayfurther include a curved surface having curvature radii R4, R5, . . . Rn(wherein n is a natural number), in addition to the curved surfacehaving the curvature radii R1 through R3.

In one embodiment, the window 110 may be formed to include a curvedsurface having a uniform curvature radius. For example, the window 110may be formed to include a curved surface having a uniform curvatureradius R. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the window 110may be formed to include the curved surface having the uniform curvatureradius R.

The film member may be formed in various ways. For example, the filmmember may include at least one of a touch screen panel, a display panel130, a black matrix film, and a release paper.

In this regard, the touch screen panel is the same as or similar to aconventional touch screen panel, and thus a detailed description thereofis not repeated. The display panel 130 may include a flexible organiclight emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, etc. Theblack matrix film may be a film in which a black matrix is printed on anadhesive film. The release paper may be a film that is attached to thewindow 110 and protects the window 110. In this regard, the film membermay be flexibly formed. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, thefilm member is the display panel 130 that is an organic light emittingdisplay panel.

The film member may be attached to a convex surface of the window 110 ora concave surface thereof. Hereinafter, for convenience of description,the film member is attached to the concave surface of the window 110.

The display panel 130 may include a first substrate S and an emissionportion. In particular, the display panel 130 may include a thin filmencapsulation layer B formed on the emission portion. In this regard,the thin film encapsulation layer B may be formed in a thin filmencapsulation fashion. In addition to the case where the thin filmencapsulation layer B is formed in the thin film encapsulation fashion,the display panel 130 may include a second substrate. However,hereinafter, for convenience of description, the thin film encapsulationlayer B is formed in the thin film encapsulation fashion.

The emission portion may be formed on the first substrate S. In thisregard, the emission portion may include a thin film transistor TFT. Apassivation film 131 may be formed to cover the emission portion and thethin film transistor TFT. An organic light emitting device 138 may beformed on the passivation film 131.

In this regard, the first substrate S may be formed of a glass materialbut is not necessarily limited thereto. Alternatively, the firstsubstrate S may be formed of a plastic material or a metal material suchas stainless steel (SUS) or titanium (Ti). In one embodiment, the firstsubstrate S may be formed of polyimide (PI). Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, the first substrate S is formed of PI.

A buffer layer 132 formed of an organic compound and/or inorganiccompound may be further provided on a top surface of the first substrateS. The organic compound and/or inorganic compound may includeSiO_(x)(x≥1) and SiN_(x)(x≥1).

An active layer 133 arranged in a pattern may be provided on the bufferlayer 132, and then may be buried by a gate insulation layer 134. Theactive layer 133 may include a source region 133 a, a drain region 133c, and a channel region 133 b between the source region 133 a and thedrain region 133 c.

The active layer 133 may be formed to include a variety of materials.For example, the active layer 133 may include an inorganic semiconductormaterial such as amorphous silicon or crystalline silicon. In anotherexample, the active layer 133 may include an oxide semiconductormaterial or an organic semiconductor material. However, hereinafter, forconvenience of description, the active layer 133 is formed of amorphoussilicon.

The active layer 133 may be formed by forming an amorphous silicon layeron the buffer layer 132, crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer toform a polycrystal silicon layer, and patterning the polycrystal siliconlayer. The source and drain regions 133 a and 133 c of the active layer133 may be doped with impurities according to a type of a TFT, such as adriving TFT and a switching TFT.

A gate electrode 135 corresponding to the active layer 133 and aninterlayer dielectric 136 burying the gate electrode 135 may be providedon a top surface of the gate insulation layer 134.

A contact hole may be formed in the interlayer dielectric 136 and thegate insulation layer 134 so that a source electrode 137 a and a drainelectrode 137 b are formed on the interlayer dielectric 136 to contactthe source region 133 a and the drain region 133 c, respectively.

The passivation layer 131 may be formed on the above-formed thin filmtransistor TFT. A pixel electrode 138 a of the organic light-emittingdevice (OLED) may be formed on the passivation layer 131. The pixelelectrode 138 a may contact the drain electrode 137 b of the thin filmtransistor TFT by a via hole H2 formed in the passivation layer 131. Thepassivation layer 131 may be formed of an organic substance and/orinorganic substance with a single layer or multilayer structure. A topsurface of the passivation layer 131 may be formed as a planarizationlayer regardless of a curve of a lower layer. On the other hand, thepassivation layer 131 may be curved according to the curve of the lowerlayer. The passivation layer 131 may be formed of a transparentinsulation material to achieve a resonance effect.

After the pixel electrode 138 a is formed on the passivation layer 131,a pixel defining layer 139 is formed by using an organic substanceand/or inorganic substance to cover the pixel electrode 138 a and thepassivation layer 131, and is opened to expose the pixel electrode 138a.

An intermediate layer 138 b and an opposite electrode 138 c are formedon at least the pixel electrode 138 a.

The pixel electrode 138 a may function as an anode electrode, and theopposite electrode 138 c may function as a cathode electrode. Polaritiesof the pixel electrode 138 a and the opposite electrode 138 c may beswitched.

The pixel electrode 138 a and the opposite electrode 138 c are insulatedfrom each other by the intermediate layer 138 b so that light is emittedfrom an organic emission layer by applying voltages of oppositepolarities to intermediate layer 138 b.

The intermediate layer 138 b may include the organic emission layer. Inanother example, the intermediate layer 138 b includes an organicemission layer and may further include at least one of a hole injectionlayer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an electron transport layer(ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL). However, the presentembodiment is not limited thereto, and the intermediate layer 138 b mayinclude the organic emission layer and may further include other variousfunctional layers.

A unit pixel includes a plurality of sub-pixels that may emit lights ofvarious colors. For example, the sub-pixels may include sub-pixels thatemit lights of red, green, and blue or sub-pixels that emit lights ofred, green, blue, and white.

The sub-pixels may include the intermediate layers 138 b having organicemission layers that emit lights of various colors. For example, thesub-pixels include the intermediate layers 138 b having organic emissionlayers that emit lights of red, green, and blue.

In another example, the sub-pixels that emit light of various colors mayinclude the intermediate layers 138 b that emit lights of the samecolor, for example, white, and may include a color converting layer or acolor filter that coverts the white light into a light of apredetermined color.

The intermediate layer 138 b emitting the white light may have a varietyof structures, for example, a structure in which at least alight-emitting substance emitting a red light, a light-emittingsubstance emitting a green light, and a light-emitting substanceemitting a blue light are stacked on one another. In another example ofa structure for emitting the white light, the intermediate layer 138 bmay include a structure in which at least a light-emitting substanceemitting a red light, a light-emitting substance emitting a green light,and a light-emitting substance emitting a blue light are mixed.

The red, greed, and blue colors are exemplary and the present embodimentis not limited thereto. In other words, any combination of other variouscolors, which is capable of emitting a white light, may be employed inaddition to a combination of red, green, and blue colors.

The thin film encapsulation layer B may include a plurality of inorganiclayers, or an inorganic layer and an organic layer.

The organic layer of the thin film encapsulation layer B is formed of apolymer and may be a single layer or a layer stack formed of any one ofpolyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, polycarbonate, epoxy,polyethylene, and polyacrylate. The organic layer may be formed ofpolyacrylate, and in detail, may include a polymerized monomercomposition including diacrylate-based monomer and triacrylate-basedmonomer. The monomer composition may further include monoacrylate-basedmonomer. Also, the monomer composition may further include a well-knownphotoinitiator such as trimethyl benzoyl diphenyl phosphine oxide (TPO),but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

The inorganic layer of the thin film encapsulation layer B may be asingle layer or a layer stack including a metal oxide or a metalnitride. In detail, the inorganic layer may include any one of SiNx,Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and TiO₂.

The top layer of the thin film encapsulation layer B that is exposed tothe outside may be formed of an inorganic layer in order to preventintrusion of moisture into the organic light-emitting device.

The thin film encapsulation layer B may include at least one sandwichstructure in which at least one organic layer is inserted between atleast two inorganic layers. In another example, the thin filmencapsulation layer B may include at least one sandwich structure inwhich at least one inorganic layer is inserted between at least twoorganic layers. In another example, the thin film encapsulation layer Bmay include a sandwich structure in which at least one organic layer isinserted between at least two inorganic layers and a sandwich structurein which at least one inorganic layer is inserted between at least twoorganic layers.

The thin film encapsulation layer B may include a first inorganic layer,a first organic layer, and a second inorganic layer sequentially formedfrom the top portion of the OLED.

In another example, the thin film encapsulation layer B may include afirst inorganic layer, a first organic layer, a second inorganic layer,a second organic layer, and a third inorganic layer sequentially formedfrom the top portion of the OLED.

In another example, the thin film encapsulation layer B may include afirst inorganic layer, a first organic layer, a second inorganic layer,a second organic layer, a third inorganic layer, a third organic layer,and a fourth inorganic layer sequentially formed from the top portion ofthe OLED.

A halogenized metal layer including lithium fluoride (LiF) may beadditionally included between the OLED and the first inorganic layer.The halogenized metal layer may prevent the OLED from being damaged whenthe first inorganic layer is formed in a sputtering method or a plasmadeposition method.

The first organic layer may be smaller than the second inorganic layer,and the second organic layer may be smaller than the third inorganiclayer.

In another example, the first organic layer may be completely covered bythe second inorganic layer, and the second organic layer may becompletely covered by the third inorganic layer.

The lamination device 10 that attaches the window 110 and the displaypanel 130 to each other may include a jig 1, a transfer member 2, aroller unit 3, a driving unit 4, a pressing unit 5, a first cushion unit6, and a tension maintaining roller 7.

The window 110 including the curved surface may be seated in the jig 1.In this regard, a seating groove 1 a or a seating protrusion may beformed in accordance with a shape of the window 110. For example, when aconvex portion of the window 110 is seated in the jig 1, the seatinggroove 1 a may be formed in the jig 1. When a concave portion of thewindow 110 is seated in the jig 1, a seating protrusion may be formed inthe jig 1. In one embodiment, the seating groove 1 a is formed inaccordance with the shape of the window 110.

The seating groove 1 a may be formed to have the same curvature radiusas the window 110. In this regard, the first cushion unit 6 may bemounted in the seating groove 1 a to support the window 110. The firstcushion unit 6 may be formed of an elastic material, such as rubber,silicon, urethane, etc.

The transfer member 2 may attach to the above-described display panel130. In this regard, the transfer member 2 may have a little adhesiveforce to attach to the display panel 130. In particular, the transfermember 2 may include an adhesive material, such as an optically clearadhesive (OCA) film.

The transfer member 2 may be supplied from the outside. In this regard,the display panel 130 may be attached to the transfer member 2. The atleast one tension maintaining roller 7 may be mounted in the transfermember 2 to support the transfer member 2. In this regard, the tensionmaintaining roller 7 may support the transfer member 2 to allow thetransfer member 2 to maintain a predetermined tension when transferringthe transfer member 2. In particular, the tension maintaining roller 7may maintain a uniform tension of the transfer member 2 when the rollerunit 3 presses the transfer member 2.

The roller unit 3 may include a core unit 3 a and a second cushion unit3 b mounted to surround an exterior surface of the core unit 3 a. Inthis regard, the core unit 3 a may be formed of a metallic material. Thesecond cushion unit 3 b may be formed in the same or similar manner asthe first cushion unit 6.

The core unit 3 a and the second cushion unit 3 b may be formed in acylindrical shape. In this regard, the core unit 3 a and the secondcushion unit 3 b may be formed to be greater than a width of the window110 or a length thereof. In particular, the core unit 3 a and the secondcushion unit 3 b may be oriented in a width direction of the window 110or in a lengthwise direction thereof to press the film member.

The driving unit 4 may be provided in an upper space of the window 110,and may include a motor unit 4 a that is a rotational center of theroller unit 3 and is rotatably drivable. The driving unit 4 may connectthe motor unit 4 a and the roller unit 3, and may include a firstconnection frame 4 b in which the pressing unit 5 is mounted.

In this regard, the pressing unit 5 may be formed as a pneumatic orhydraulic cylinder. In particular, the pressing unit 5 may be connectedto an external supply unit to supply air, gas, or fluid. Alternatively,the pressing unit 5 may be formed as a compression spring to press theroller unit 3 when operating the roller unit 3.

The lamination device 10 may further include an align unit that alignspositions of the film member and the window 110 in addition to theabove-described constitutional elements. In this regard, the align unitmay include a camera unit 8 a that captures images of the positions ofthe film member and the window 110 and a position alignment unit 8 bthat aligns the positions of the film member and the window 110 based onthe images captured by the camera unit 8 a. The alignment unit 8 b mayadjust a position of the transfer member 2 or a position of the jig 1.

A lamination method by using the lamination device 10 may allow thewindow 110 to be seated in the seating groove 1 a of the jig 1. In thisregard, the convex portion of the window 110 may contact the firstcushion unit 6 mounted in the seating groove 1 a, and the concaveportion thereof may be exposed to the outside.

If the window 110 is disposed, the display panel 130 may be provided onthe window 110 by transferring the transfer member 2. In this regard, atransfer unit that transfers the transfer member 2 may be separatelyprovided outside.

If the display panel 130 is provided on the window 110 by transferringthe transfer member 2, the camera unit 8 a may capture an image of thewindow 110 and compare the image with a preset image. In this regard,the position alignment unit 8 b may adjust a position of the window 110to a preset position by moving the jig 1. In particular, the positionalignment unit 8 b may be controlled by a control unit.

If the above process is complete, the camera unit 8 a may capture animage of the display panel 130 again and compare the image with thepreset image. In this regard, the control unit may be separatelyprovided to compare the image captured by the camera unit 8 a with thepreset image and adjust a position of the display panel 130. Inparticular, the control unit may control the transfer unit and move thetransfer member 2, thereby adjusting the position of the display panel130.

If the positions of the window 110 and the display panel 130 arealigned, the roller unit 3 may rotate after contacting a surface of thetransfer member 2. In more detail, when the motor unit 4 a operates, thefirst connection frame 4 b may rotate with respect to the rotationalcenter of the motor unit 4 a. In particular, the rotational center ofthe motor unit 4 a may be formed in the same manner as a curvaturecenter of the window 110. In this regard, when the roller unit 3 moves,the roller unit 3 may apply substantially constant force to the transfermember 2 in a perpendicular direction.

The roller unit 3 may apply force to the display panel 130 via thetransfer member 2, thereby attaching the display panel 130 and thewindow 110 to each other. In this regard, the roller unit 3 may rotate asurface of the transfer member 2 and move. In this case, the adhesivefilm 120 may be disposed between the display panel 130 and the window110 or an adhesive material may be coated on the display panel 130.

During the above process, the pressing unit 5 mounted in the firstconnection frame 4 b may apply a force to the roller unit 3. Inparticular, when the pressing unit 5 is mounted in the center of thefirst connection frame 4 b, the first connection frame 4 b may separatethe center of the first connection frame 4 b, thereby supporting thepressing unit 5 and applying force of the pressing unit 5 to the rollerunit 3 when the pressing unit 5 presses the roller unit 3.

When the pressing unit 5 presses the roller unit 3, the pressing unit 5may press the transfer member 2 at a uniform pressure. For example, theroller unit 3 may move toward the concave surface of the window 110, andthe pressing unit 5 may prevent the roller unit 3 from being separatedfrom the transfer member 2. Furthermore, the pressing unit 5 may absorbshock or press the roller unit 3 according to motion of the roller unit3. In this regard, the roller unit 3 may sequentially move from one endof the display panel 130 to another end thereof.

After attaching the window 110 to the display panel 130, the window 110may be separated from the jig 1. In one embodiment, the window 110 maybe separated from the jig 1 by using a separate structure such as arobot arm.

Therefore, the lamination device 10 and the lamination method maysequentially attach the window 110 and the display panel 130 to eachother from one side to another side, thereby minimizing bubbles formedwhen attaching the window 110 to the display panel 130.

The lamination device 10 and the lamination method may also attach thewindow 110 and the display panel 130 to each other at a uniformpressure, thereby preventing the display panel 130 from being pushed ordamaged.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a lamination device 200 according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lamination device 200 may include a jig 210, atransfer member 220, a roller unit 230, a driving unit 240, a pressingunit 250, a first cushion unit 260, and a tension maintaining roller270. In this regard, the jig 210, the transfer member 220, the rollerunit 230, the pressing unit 250, the first cushion unit 260, and thetension maintaining roller 270 are the same as or are similar to thosedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 above, and thus detaileddescriptions thereof are not repeated.

The driving unit 240 may be provided in an upper space of the jig 210,and may include a motor unit 241 that is a rotational center and isrotatably drivable. The driving unit 240 may connect the motor unit 241and the pressing unit 250, and may include a first connection frame 242in which the jig 210 is provided. The driving unit 240 may connect thefirst connection frame 242 and the roller unit 230, and may include asecond connection frame 243 in which the pressing unit 250 is mounted.

A space is formed in the first connection frame 242 and the secondconnection frame 243 so that the jig 210 may be provided in the space.In more detail, one end of the first connection frame 242 may beconnected to the motor unit 241 and rotate. The second connection frame243 and the pressing unit 250 may be provided in the first connectionframe 242.

The lamination device 200 may include an align unit, a control unit, anda transfer unit, in addition to the above-described constitutionalelements. In this regard, the align unit, the control unit, and thetransfer unit are the same as or are similar to those described above,and thus detailed descriptions thereof are not repeated.

The lamination device 200 may allow the window 110 and a film member tobe adhered to each other. In this regard, the adhesive film 120 or anadhesive material may be disposed between the window 110 and the filmmember.

As described above, the film member may include at least one of a touchscreen panel, the display panel 130, a black matrix film, and a releasepaper. However, hereinafter, for convenience of description, the filmmember is the display panel 130 as described above.

In regards to an operation of the above-formed lamination device 200,the window 110 may be seated in the jig 210. In this regard, the window110 may be inserted into a seating groove 210 a of the jig 210 andseated therein. In particular, the window 110 may be formed to include acurved surface having a uniform curvature radius as described above.

When the window 110 is seated, the transfer unit may operate to transferthe transfer member 220. In this regard, the display panel 130, alongwith the transfer member 220, may move so that the display panel 130 maybe provided on the window 110.

If the above process is complete, the align unit may be used to alignpositions of the display panel 130 and the window 110. In this regard, amethod of aligning the positions of the display panel 130 and the window110 by using a camera unit 281 and a position alignment unit 282 is thesame as or is similar to that described above, and thus a detaileddescription thereof is not repeated.

If the display panel 130 and the window 110 are completely aligned, themotor unit 241 may move and rotate the first connection frame 242. Inthis regard, the pressing unit 250 and the second connection frame 243that are connected to the first connection frame 242 may move along withthe first connection frame 242. The roller unit 230 may be connected tothe second connection frame 243 and may move along with the secondconnection frame 243.

The roller unit 230 may be mounted in the second connection frame 243 torotate by itself so that the roller unit 230 may rotate when the secondconnection frame 243 rotates. In more detail, a core unit 231 may berotatably mounted in the second connection frame 243 so that the coreunit 231 may rotate with respect to a center of the second connectionframe 243 when the second connection frame 243 rotates. In this regard,a second cushion unit 232 may rotate along a surface of the transfermember 220.

When the roller unit 230 rotates, the roller unit 230 may move along thesurface of the transfer member 220. In this regard, the roller unit 230may apply force to the transfer member 220, and the display panel 130attached to the transfer member 220 may be adhered to the window 110.The tension maintaining roller 270 may maintain a uniform tension of thetransfer member 220 when the roller unit 230 applies force to thetransfer member 220. In this case, an adhesive film or an adhesivematerial may be located between the display panel 130 and the transfermember 220.

During the process, the pressing unit 250 may press the roller unit 230.In this regard, the pressing unit 250 may apply force to the secondconnection frame 243, thereby pulling the roller unit 230 to the jig 210at a uniform force. In particular, the roller unit 230 may apply auniform pressure to the transfer member 220 by using the uniform force,and thus the display panel 130 and the window 110 may be adhered to eachother at a uniform pressure. In this case, the roller unit 230 may applyforce to the display panel 130 in a direction perpendicular to atangential curved surface of the window 110.

If the above process is complete, the window 110 to which the displaypanel 130 is attached may be separated from the jig 210. As such, theroller unit 230 may not contact the transfer member 220, and may remainspaced apart from the transfer member 220. In this case, in particular,the motor unit 241 may operate such that the roller unit 230 may bepositioned higher than the transfer member 220, and the roller unit 230may be spaced from the transfer member 220 by controlling a pressure ofthe pressing unit 250.

Therefore, the lamination device 200 and the lamination method maysequentially attach the window 110 and the display panel 130 to eachother from one side to another side, thereby minimizing bubbles formedwhen attaching the window 110 to the display panel 130.

The lamination device 200 and the lamination method may also attach thewindow 110 and the display panel 130 to each other at a uniformpressure, thereby preventing the display panel 130 from being pushed ordamaged.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a lamination device 300 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectionalview of a display device 100 a manufactured by the lamination device 300of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the lamination device 300 may include a jig310, a transfer member 320, a roller unit 330, a driving unit 340, apressing unit 350, a first cushion unit 360, and a tension maintainingroller 370. In this regard, the transfer member 320, the roller unit330, the pressing unit 350, and the tension maintaining roller 370 arethe same as or are similar to those described above, and thus detaileddescriptions thereof are not repeated.

The jig 310 may include a seating protrusion 310 a of which at least apart protrudes. The seating protrusion 310 a may be formed in the sameor similar manner as a concave portion of the window 110.

The first cushion unit 360 may be mounted in the seating protrusion 310a. The first cushion unit 360 may be the same as or similar to thatdescribed above, and a detailed description thereof is not repeated.

The driving unit 340 may be located beneath the jig 310, as shown inFIG. 5, and may include a motor unit 341 that is a rotational center androtatably drives. The driving unit 340 may include a first connectionframe 342 that connects the motor unit 341 and the roller unit 330,wherein, the pressing unit 350 may be mounted in the first connectionframe 342.

A space is formed in the first connection frame 342 so that the jig 310may be provided in the space. In more detail, one end of the firstconnection frame 342 may be connected to the motor unit 341 and rotate.The pressing unit 350 may be mounted in the first connection frame 342as described above, and the roller unit 330 may be mounted in an edgethereof.

The lamination device 300 may include an align unit, a control unit, anda transfer unit, in addition to the above-described constitutionalelements. In this regard, the align unit, the control unit, and thetransfer unit are the same as or are similar to those described above,and thus detailed descriptions thereof are not repeated.

The lamination device 300 may manufacture the display device 100 a byadhering a window 110 a and a film member. In this regard, an adhesivefilm 120 a or an adhesive material may be disposed between the window110 a and the film member.

The window 110 a may be formed to include a curved surface having auniform curvature radius. As another example, the window 110 a may beformed to include a curved surface having a variable curvature radius.Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the window 110 a is formedto include the curved surface having three variable curvature radii.

As described above, the film member may include at least one of a touchscreen panel, a display panel 130 a, a black matrix film, and a releasepaper. However, hereinafter, for convenience of description, the filmmember is the display panel 130 a as described above.

The display panel 130 a may be attached to a concave surface of thewindow 110 a as described above. As another example, the display panel130 a may be attached to a convex surface of the window 110 a. In thisregard, hereinafter, for convenience of description, the display panel130 a may be attached to the convex surface of the window 110 a.

In regards to an operation of the above-formed lamination device 300,the window 110 a may be seated in the jig 310. In this regard, thewindow 110 a may be seated in a seating groove 310 a of the jig 310 sothat the convex surface of the window 110 a may face toward the transfermember 320.

If the window 110 a is seated as described above, the transfer unit mayoperate to transfer the transfer member 320. In this regard, the displaypanel 130 a, along with the transfer member 320, may move so that thedisplay panel 130 a may be provided on the window 110 a.

If the above process is complete, positions of the display panel 130 aand the window 110 a may be aligned by using a camera unit 381 and aposition alignment unit 382 of the align unit. In this regard, a methodof aligning the positions of the display panel 130 a and the window 110a is the same as or is similar to that described above, and thus adetailed description thereof is not repeated.

If the display panel 130 a and the window 110 a are completely aligned,the motor unit 341 may operate and rotate the first connection frame342. In this regard, the pressing unit 350 and the roller unit 330 thatare connected to the first connection frame 342 may move along with thefirst connection frame 342.

The roller unit 330 may be mounted in the first connection frame 342 torotate by itself so that the roller unit 330 may rotate when the firstconnection frame 342 rotates. In more detail, a core unit 331 may berotatably mounted in the first connection frame 342 so that the coreunit 331 may rotate with respect to a center of the first connectionframe 342 when the first connection frame 342 rotates. In this regard, asecond cushion unit 332 may rotate along a surface of the transfermember 320.

When the roller unit 330 rotates as described above, the roller unit 330may move along the surface of the transfer member 320. In this regard,the roller unit 330 may apply force to the transfer member 320, and thedisplay panel 130 a attached to the transfer member 320 may be adheredto the convex portion of the window 110 a. The tension maintainingroller 370 may maintain a uniform tension of the transfer member 320when the roller unit 330 applies force to the transfer member 320. Inthis case, an adhesive film or an adhesive material may be locatedbetween the display panel 130 a and the transfer member 320.

During the process, the pressing unit 350 may press the roller unit 330.In this regard, the pressing unit 350 may pull the roller unit 330 tothe jig 310 at a uniform force. In particular, the roller unit 330 mayapply a uniform pressure to the transfer member 320 by using the uniformforce, and thus the display panel 130 a and the window 110 a may beadhered to each other at a uniform pressure. In this regard, thecurvature radii of the window 110 a may be changed and thus, an innerpressure of the pressing unit 350 may vary.

When the above process is complete, the window 110 a to which thedisplay panel 130 a is attached may be separated from the jig 310. Inthis regard, the roller unit 330 may not contact the transfer member320, and may remain spaced apart from the transfer member 320. In thiscase, in particular, the motor unit 341 may operate such that the rollerunit 330 may be positioned higher than the transfer member 320, and theroller unit 330 may be spaced from the transfer member 320 bycontrolling a pressure of the pressing unit 350.

Therefore, the lamination device 300 and the lamination method maysequentially attach the window 110 a and the display panel 130 a to eachother from one side to another side, thereby minimizing bubbles formedwhen attaching the window 110 a to the display panel 130 a.

The lamination device 300 and the lamination method may also attach thewindow 110 a and the display panel 130 a to each other at a uniformpressure, thereby preventing the display panel 130 a from being pushedor damaged.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a lamination device 400 according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the lamination device 400 may include a jig 410, atransfer member 420, a roller unit 430, a driving unit 440, a pressingunit 450, a first cushion unit 460, and a tension maintaining roller470. In this regard, the jig 410, the transfer member 420, the rollerunit 430, the pressing unit 450, and the tension maintaining roller 470are the same as or are similar to those described with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6 above, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are notrepeated.

The driving unit 440 may be disposed in a lower space of the jig 410,and may include a motor unit 441 that is a rotational center androtatably drives. The driving unit 440 may include a first connectionframe 442 that connects the motor unit 441 and the pressing unit 450,and in which the jig 410 is disposed. The driving unit 440 may include asecond connection frame 443 that connects the first connection frame 442and the roller unit 430, and in which the pressing unit 450 is mounted.

A space is formed in the first connection frame 442 and the secondconnection frame 443 so that the jig 410 may be provided in the space.In more detail, one end of the first connection frame 442 may beconnected to the motor unit 441 and rotate. The second connection frame443 and the pressing unit 450 may be mounted in the first connectionframe 442. In this regard, the pressing unit 450 may be positionedopposite to the motor unit 441 with respect to the jig 410.

The lamination device 400 may include an align unit, a control unit, anda transfer unit, in addition to the above-described constitutionalelements. In this regard, the align unit, the control unit, and thetransfer unit are the same as or are similar to those described above,and thus detailed descriptions thereof are not repeated.

The lamination device 400 may allow the window 110 a and a film memberto adhere to each other. In this regard, the adhesive film 120 a or anadhesive material may be disposed between the window 110 a and the filmmember.

The window 110 a may be formed to include a curved surface having auniform curvature radius or a curved surface having a variable curvatureradius. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the window 110 a isformed to include the curved surface having three variable curvatureradii.

As described above, the film member may include at least one of a touchscreen panel, a display panel 130 a, a black matrix film, and a releasepaper. However, hereinafter, for convenience of description, the filmmember is the display panel 130 a as described above. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, the display panel 130 a may be attached to aconvex surface of the window 110 a.

In regards to an operation of the above-formed lamination device 400,the window 110 a may be seated in the jig 410. In this regard, thewindow 110 a may be seated in a seating groove 410 a of the jig 410. Inparticular, the window 110 a may be formed to include a curved surfacehaving a uniform curvature radius as described above.

If the window 110 a is seated as described above, the transfer unit mayoperate to transfer the transfer member 420. In this regard, the displaypanel 130 a, along with the transfer member 420, may move so that thedisplay panel 130 a may be provided on the window 110 a.

If the above process is complete, positions of the display panel 130 aand the window 110 a may be aligned by using a camera unit 481 and aposition alignment unit 482 of the align unit. In this regard, a, methodof operating the align unit is the same as or is similar to thatdescribed above, and thus a detailed description thereof is notrepeated.

If the display panel 130 a and the window 110 a are completely aligned,the motor unit 441 may operate and rotate the first connection frame442. In this regard, the pressing unit 450 and the second connectionframe 443 that are connected to the first connection frame 442 may movealong with the first connection frame 442. The roller unit 430 may beconnected to the second connection frame 443 and may rotate along withthe second connection frame 443.

The roller unit 430 may be mounted in the second connection frame 443 torotate by itself so that the roller unit 430 may rotate when the secondconnection frame 443 rotates. In more detail, a core unit 431 may berotatably mounted in the second connection frame 443 so that the coreunit 431 may rotate with respect to a center of the second connectionframe 443 when the second connection frame 443 rotates. In this regard,a second cushion unit 432 may rotate along a surface of the transfermember 420.

When the roller unit 430 rotates as described above, the roller unit 430may move along the surface of the transfer member 420. In this regard,the roller unit 430 may apply force to the transfer member 420, and thedisplay panel 130 a attached to the transfer member 420 may be adheredto the convex portion of the window 110 a. The tension maintainingroller 470 may maintain a uniform tension of the transfer member 420when the roller unit 430 applies force to the transfer member 420. Inthis case, an adhesive film or an adhesive material may be disposedbetween the display panel 130 a and the transfer member 420.

During the process, the pressing unit 450 may press the roller unit 430.In this regard, the pressing unit 450 may pull the roller unit 430 tothe jig 410 at a uniform force. In particular, the roller unit 430 mayapply a uniform pressure to the transfer member 420 by using the uniformforce, and thus the display panel 130 a and the window 110 a may beadhered to each other at a uniform pressure. In this regard, an innerpressure of the pressing unit 450 may be controlled to vary.

If the above process is complete, the window 110 a to which the displaypanel 130 a is attached may be separated from the jig 410. In thisregard, the roller unit 430 may not contact the transfer member 420, andmay remain spaced from the transfer member 420. In this case, inparticular, the motor unit 441 may operate such that the roller unit 430may be positioned higher than the transfer member 420, and the rollerunit 430 may be spaced from the transfer member 420 by controlling apressure of the pressing unit 450.

Therefore, the lamination device 400 and the lamination method maysequentially attach the window 110 a and the display panel 130 a to eachother from one side to another side, thereby minimizing bubbles formedwhen attaching the window 110 a to the display panel 130 a.

The lamination device 400 and the lamination method may also attach thewindow 110 a and the display panel 130 a to each other at a uniformpressure, thereby preventing the display panel 130 a from being pushedor damaged.

As described above, according to the one or more of the aboveembodiments of the present invention, a lamination device and method mayfirmly attach a film member to a window having a curved surface.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described thereinshould be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodimentshould typically be considered as available for other similar featuresor aspects in other embodiments.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed with reference to the figures, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lamination device comprising: a jig configuredto accommodate a window having a curved surface; a transfer memberconfigured to allow a film to be attached to the window to be spacedfrom the jig; a roller unit configured to press a surface of thetransfer member to which the film is not attached and attaching the filmto the window; a driver connected to the roller unit and configured tomove the roller unit along the curved surface of the window by rotatingwith respect to a fixed rotational center; and a pressing unit connectedto the driver and the roller unit and configured to press the rollerunit.
 2. The lamination device of claim 1 further comprising a jigcushion mounted in a window accommodating portion of the jig.
 3. Thelamination device of claim 1 further comprising a tension maintainingroller for maintaining a uniform tension of the transfer member.
 4. Thefoldable display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first housing furthercomprises: a third hinge shaft away from the second housing; and a firsthousing cover that is pivotally connected to the third hinge shaft, andthat is configured to move according to rotation of the first hingecover.
 5. The lamination device of claim 1, wherein the drivercomprises: a motor located above the window or below the jig, the motorbeing a rotational center of the roller unit, and being rotatablydrivable; and a first connection frame accommodating the pressing unitand connecting the motor and the roller unit, the first connection frameconfigured to rotate when driving the motor.
 6. The lamination device ofclaim 5, wherein, when the motor is located below the jig, the jig beingin the first connection frame.
 7. The lamination device of claim 1,wherein the driver comprises: a motor located above the window or belowthe jig, being a single rotational center, and being rotatably drivable;a first connection frame accommodating the jig and connecting the motorand the pressing unit; and a second connection frame accommodating thepressing unit and connecting the first connection frame and the rollerunit.
 8. The lamination device of claim 1, wherein the pressing unit isconfigured to press the roller unit at a uniform pressure on thetransfer member.
 9. The lamination device of claim 1, wherein the filmis configured to be attached to a curved surface of the window.
 10. Thelamination device of claim 1, wherein the film comprises at least one ofa touch screen, a display panel, a black matrix film, and a releasepaper.